Beverage Cooling Carrier System

ABSTRACT

A beverage cooling carrier system. The system includes a carrier tray having handles and a removable cooling block for securing and chilling a plurality of beverage glasses therein. The system is useful for securing and chilling a plurality of beverages before and during consumption of the beverages by a consumer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/652,511 filed on Apr. 4, 2018. The above identified patent application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many individuals prefer to consume beverages, such as beer, while the beverage is chilled at a temperature that is below room temperature but above the freezing point of the beverage. In addition, many individuals prefer to consume beverages, such as beer, at a rate that is slower than a preferred consumption rate of other beverages. However, after transferring the beverage from a colder environment to a warmer environment, the temperature of the beverage tends to increase over time. This observation, coupled with the preferences of many individuals, places a lower limit on the rate of beverage consumption which may be higher than the preferred rate of beverage consumption. Existing solutions for keeping a beverage cold after transfer to a warmer environment include the placement of ice cubes into the beverage. However, this has undesirable side effects, including a watering down of the beverage during consumption.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved system for storing and chilling beverages after transfer from a colder environment to a warmer environment. The present invention addresses this unmet need.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a beverage cooling carrier system.

Devices have been disclosed in the art that relate to beverage cooling and storing. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices are often inconvenient and are not configured to cool and store a selection of beer from one or more beer taps, such as a beer flight. In view of the devices disclosed in the art, it is submitted that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing beverage cooling carrier system. In view of the present disclosure, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in structural and functional elements from devices in the art, and the instant invention substantially fulfills an unmet need in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known types of beverage cooling or storing in the art, the present invention provides a new and improved beverage cooling carrier system, wherein the same can be utilized for transporting and storing a plurality of beverages before and during consumption.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a beverage cooling carrier system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage cooling carrier system that may be readily manufactured from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manners in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary beverage cooling carrier system.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a cooling block of the exemplary beverage cooling carrier system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the invention. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered limiting in any respect.

In one aspect, the invention provides a beverage cooling carrier system, comprising a carrier tray configured to removably secure a cooling block configured to removably secure and keep cool a plurality of beverage glasses.

In another aspect, the invention provides a beverage cooling carrier system, consisting essentially of a carrier tray configured to removably secure a cooling block configured to removably secure and keep cool a plurality of beverage glasses.

In another aspect, the invention provides a beverage cooling carrier system, consisting of a carrier tray configured to removably secure a cooling block configured to removably secure and keep cool a plurality of beverage glasses.

Generally, the carrier tray comprises a rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver adjoined on each of two opposing sides to a support, wherein each support comprises an upper portion comprising a handle, wherein a top surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver comprises a rectangular depression extending toward a bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver. The cooling block may be a rectangular cuboid cooling block, wherein a top surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block comprises a plurality of depressions, and each depression extends toward a bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block, such that each depression is configured to removably secure a beverage glass therein. Generally, the rectangular depression of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver is configured to removably secure the rectangular cuboid cooling block therein.

In various embodiments of the invention, an interior of the rectangular cuboid cooling block comprises a substance having a high thermal mass therein. In various embodiments of the invention, the substance comprises a solid configured to maintain a low temperature over an extended period of time. In various embodiments of the invention, the substance comprises a gel configured to maintain a low temperature over an extended period of time.

In various embodiments of the invention, each support comprises a lower portion extending below the bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver. In various embodiments of the invention, the lower portion is configured to rest on a supporting surface, thereby forming a space between the bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver and the supporting surface.

In various embodiments of the invention, the handle of each of the supports comprises a top surface of the support. In various embodiments of the invention, the handle of each of the supports is formed by a cutout of the support. In various embodiments of the invention, the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver comprises wood.

In various embodiments of the invention, the top surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block comprises four cylindrical depressions. In various embodiments of the invention, the four cylindrical depressions are arranged in sequence.

Reference is now made to the drawings, which depict one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is depicted a perspective view of an exemplary beverage cooling carrier system. A beverage cooling carrier system 1 has a rectangular cuboid cooling block 2 placed within a rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver 3. The rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver 3 comprises a top surface comprising a rectangular depression extending toward a bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver 3, into which the rectangular cuboid cooling block 2 has been inserted. The rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver 3 is adjoined on each of two opposing sides to a rectangular support 4, wherein each rectangular support 4 comprises an upper portion comprising a handle 6. A top surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block 2 comprises four cylindrical depressions 5, wherein each cylindrical depression 5 extends toward a bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block 2. In the shown embodiment, the top surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block 2 is flush with the top surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver 3, to make the system 1 more compact and easy to transport. Each cylindrical depression 5 is configured to removably secure a beverage glass therein, and a diameter of each cylindrical depression 5 may be any size reasonably suited for this purpose. In this configuration, the beverage cooling carrier system 1 is suited for placing one or more beverage containers into one or more of the cylindrical depressions 5.

The rectangular cuboid cooling block 2 is configured to be chilled to a temperature lower than room temperature, and this is achieved by having an interior of the rectangular cuboid cooling block 2 contain a substance having a high thermal mass therein. In general, the substance comprises a gel configured to maintain a low temperature over an extended period of time. The gel has a higher thermal mass compared to many other materials, making it suitable for keeping cool during a prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures. In addition, the gel may be a non-toxic and slow-flowing gel, thereby preventing contamination of other articles if the cooling block breaks during use, storage, or maintenance. Suitable materials for the gel include, but are not limited to, hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium polyacrylate, and vinyl-coated silica gel.

One source of heat transfer into the rectangular cuboid cooling block 2 is by conduction from a supporting surface that is warmer than the rectangular cuboid cooling block 2. To minimize this type of heat transfer, the rectangular supports may each comprise a lower portion extending below the bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver 3. In this manner, the lower portion is configured to rest on the supporting surface, thereby forming a space between the bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver 3 and the supporting surface. This effectively insulates the rectangular cuboid cooling block 2 from the supporting surface, minimizing heat transfer from the supporting surface to the rectangular cuboid cooling block 2.

To maximize utility of the exemplary beverage cooling carrier system, the handle 6 of each of the rectangular supports 4 may comprise a top surface of the rectangular support 4, and generally, is configured to receive a hand of a user therethrough. For example, to achieve this, the handle 6 of each of the rectangular supports 4 may be formed by a cutout of the rectangular support 4.

It is desirable that the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver 3 is made of a material that is convenient to obtain and durable throughout use of the beverage cooling carrier system. One convenient and durable material suited for constructing the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver 3 is wood, or a similar material that is thermally insulating to extend a duration of cooling provided by the system.

Any number of depressions, such as cylindrical depressions 5, may be employed to suit a particular application. Many beer flights are provided as sets of four samplings of different types of beer. Therefore, a particular embodiment of this invention includes four cylindrical depressions 5 on the top surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block 2. In particular, the four cylindrical depressions 5 may be arranged linearly, in a sequence. In this way, a consumer can easily select which beer to consume, without reaching over any beer to select any other beer.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is depicted a perspective view of a cooling block of the exemplary beverage cooling carrier system. The exemplary rectangular cuboidal cooling block 2 is rectangular and cuboidal in shape, though other shapes may be contemplated without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In general, a carrier tray having a cooling block receiver therein is configured to removably secure a complementary cooling block therein, regardless of what size or shape is employed. The depicted rectangular cuboidal cooling block 2 has four cylindrical depressions 5 on the top surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block 2, wherein each cylindrical depression extends toward a bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block, wherein each cylindrical depression is configured to removably secure a beverage glass therein. This configuration is particularly suited for presenting and chilling flights of beer, as may be offered by restaurants and brewpubs, for example.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and its embodiments with modifications as suited to the use contemplated.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in the most practical and exemplary embodiments. It should be recognized that departures may be made which fall within the scope of the invention. With respect to the description provided herein, it is submitted that the optimal features of the invention include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use. All structures, functions, and relationships equivalent or essentially equivalent to those disclosed are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 

I claim: 1) A beverage cooling carrier system, comprising: a carrier tray comprising a rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver adjoined on each of two opposing sides to a support, wherein each support comprises an upper portion comprising a handle, wherein a top surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver comprises a rectangular depression extending toward a bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver; a rectangular cuboid cooling block, wherein a top surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block comprises a plurality of depressions, wherein each depression extends toward a bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block, wherein each depression is configured to removably secure a beverage glass therein; wherein the rectangular depression of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver is configured to removably secure the rectangular cuboid cooling block therein. 2) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 1, wherein an interior of the rectangular cuboid cooling block comprises a gel having a high thermal mass therein. 3) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of depressions is cylindrical. 4) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 1, wherein each support comprises a lower portion extending below the bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver. 5) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 4, wherein the lower portion is configured to rest on a supporting surface, thereby forming a space between the bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver and the supporting surface. 6) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 1, wherein the handle of each of the supports comprises a top surface of the support. 7) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 6, wherein the handle of each of the supports is formed by a cutout of the support. 8) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 1, wherein each of the supports is rectangular. 9) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block comprises four depressions. 10) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of depressions is arranged linearly in sequence. 11) A beverage cooling carrier system, consisting essentially of: a carrier tray comprising a rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver adjoined on each of two opposing sides to a support, wherein each support comprises an upper portion comprising a handle, wherein a top surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver comprises a rectangular depression extending toward a bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver; a rectangular cuboid cooling block, wherein a top surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block comprises a plurality of depressions, wherein each depression extends toward a bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block, wherein each depression is configured to removably secure a beverage glass therein, wherein the rectangular depression of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver is configured to removably secure the rectangular cuboid cooling block therein. 12) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 11, wherein an interior of the rectangular cuboid cooling block comprises a gel having a high thermal mass therein. 13) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of depressions is cylindrical. 14) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 11, wherein each support comprises a lower portion extending below the bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver. 15) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 14, wherein the lower portion is configured to rest on a supporting surface, thereby forming a space between the bottom surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block receiver and the supporting surface. 16) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 11, wherein the handle of each of the supports comprises a top surface of the support. 17) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 16, wherein the handle of each of the supports is formed by a cutout of the support. 18) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 11, wherein each of the supports is rectangular. 19) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 11, wherein the top surface of the rectangular cuboid cooling block comprises four depressions. 20) The beverage cooling carrier system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of depressions is arranged linearly in sequence. 